Key 2 Sale unlocking the key to success

Mount Gambier real estate business shortlisted for two national industry awards

Key 2 Sale Real Estate (team pictured in main photo) has been shortlisted for the 2023 Real Estate Business (REB) Awards with the Mount Gambier operation named as a finalist in the Social and Community Service Program of the Year category as well as staff member Ali Villani (pictured below right) named a finalist for the Mentor of the Year accolade.

The REB Awards have consistently recognised the top-performing real estate agents and businesses nationwide, year after year, by highlighting their achievements and honouring their contributions to the industry.

Key 2 Sale’s Social and Community Service Program of the Year nomination focuses on the real estate operation’s Key 2 Kindness foundation, which principal Gail Richards (pictured below left) said focuses on giving back to the community.

Key 2 Sale set up the Key 2 Kindness program a couple of years ago with the view to paying it forward and building community awareness of critical Limestone Coast support networks.

Twelve different organisations are set to benefit annually from the Key 2 Kindness initiative each year courtesy of the program’s simple funding model.

Each month, $100 from every property settlement managed by the agency will be donated to an organisation making a difference to locals and more than $30,000 has already been injected back into the community since its inception.

The charity arm of the business also held a Charity Ball in 2022, after the major event was postponed twice due to COVID, raising significant funds for palliative care in the region. The Key 2 Kindness Charity Ball had a specific goal – $25,000 for the purchase of a cuddle bed and they exceeded that goal, easily topping the $30,000 mark at the March 19 event.

“The charity ball was our first of many missions to provide greater services within our hospital, ensure we can continue the In-Home Palliative Care Service and one day in the future secure government funding for our own local hospice,” Gail said.

“Our loved ones, experiencing terminal illness and end of life care, deserve the very best of facilities regardless of where we live.” Gail said she was humbled to be recognised and proud to be named as a finalist in the REB Awards 2023.

The Social and Community Service Program of the Year award recognises the real estate office that has gained the most traction via an ethical/social responsibility program and can highlight how that program has improved the position and branding of the real estate office, as well as positively impacted the people or cause on which it is focused.

“Key 2 Sale’s recognition for our excellent contribution to the real estate industry reinforces the strength of our service and dedication to connecting with the community and engaging with clients,” Gail said.

And that recognition also includes one of the key member of the Key 2 Sale team with Ali Villani’s shortlisting as a Mentor of the Year finalist at the national awards, which will be presented on May 4.

The Mentor of the Year award recognises the professional who plays an integral role in guiding, supporting and promoting the training and career development of their mentees.

This professional is committed to the employees’ professional development and cultural integration, demonstrating leadership and advocating for the future leaders in the real estate industry.

They show success in their current business/role and demonstrate the influence they themselves have made to the real estate profession.

Ali’s relationship with Key 2 Sale dates back to the beginning of the business almost seven years ago. “Ali was originally my start up business mentor so we have had a long forged relationship from the start of Key 2 Sale,” Gail said.

The relationship was rekindled a couple of years ago when COVID hit and some time opened up for Ali at the same time Gail was on the hunt for a business development manager.

“Ali actually put her hand up for the role,” Gail said. “Her role involves running the operations of our sales meetings and team meetings, business support including budget and strategic planning, assisting with the Key 2 Kindness Initiative and the management of Wellbeing and Mentoring of all of our staff.

“I felt that if the business and myself benefited from having a mentor, imagine how great it would be to give that to your staff as well and that is how things have evolved.

“Ali works from Torquay so the amazing part about it is that she doesn’t need to be in Mount Gambier to be a valued part of our business.”

In her reincarnation as a Key 2 Sale team member, Ali’s role is very personnel focussed and Gail believes the benefits her staff and, in turn, her business, reap from the role is invaluable.

“I have always felt that if your staff are happy both personally and professionally that they will be a better employee so having a mentor for our staff has been invaluable,” Gail said. “If you speak to any of the staff they will say that Ali has been an integral part of their personal growth and also holding them accountable.

“It also gives them a sounding board and someone to support them if the are going through a rough time and a safe place to talk things through.

“Mental health and wellbeing of our employees is at the forefront and to enable them to actually have someone to talk to each month about what is going on in their lives, assist them with their goals, as well as getting them outside of their comfort zone is great for personal growth and in turn better, happier employees means we have a better business.

“Before Ali joined us we already had a great culture and work place environment and she has been able to harness and continue to help us nurture that.

“We all spend a lot of time at work and so doing it with people we enjoy working with in a supportive environment is something I am very proud of.”

The finalist list was announced on March 14 and features more than 310 high-achieving professionals across 35 submission-based categories.

Over the past decade, this awards program has served as a platform for driven and enthusiastic professionals in all areas of real estate to be acknowledged for their exceptional accomplishments.

REB editor Grace Ormsby said year they’d been blown away by the quality of submissions for the REB Awards.

“It’s been an interesting 12 months for the industry, and it is wonderful to be able to recognise those professionals who are going above and beyond in the call of duty to their clients,” Ms Ormsby said.

“On behalf of the entire team at REB, I’d like to extend my sincerest congratulations to all our finalists and wish them the best of luck at the upcoming REB Awards. We are very much looking forward to acknowledging and celebrating real estate success.”

GIVING BACK: (Below from top) Key 2 Kindness donation to the Regional Foodbank & the cuddle bed, funded by the Key 2 Kindness Charity Ball held last March.